1. Pia’s Magical Night VS EE

2. ONCE UPON A TIME, a young girl named Pia lived in India. Pia grew up in the slums of Mumbai, India. This was her life; she knew nothing else. She grew up in a small hut, where rats ran around her feet, and she slept on a burlap mat.

3. Even as a child, her favorite time of the year was mid October, when they would celebrate Diwali, The Festival of Lights. While she always loved celebrating in their small community, she always envied the people who were able to attend the Melas Fairs, where they could see jugglers, snake charmers, eat sweet food, and ride Ferris wheels and elephant, but most of all Pia wanted to dress in the fancy, colorful clothes they got to where.

4. Now, as a young woman, Pia still dreamed of attended a Melas Fair, but she new she could never afford the fancy clothes she would need to where. Pia decided to go for a walk to watch the men set up the fair that would be happening tomorrow. She told her mother she would only be gone a short time, and when she finally made it there, the smells of sweet food were everywhere, and she watched as elephants were being led in. Pia smiled, knowing that the people who were able to go the fair would have a good time.

5. Pia decided to start to head back home, when a woman approached who had pale, pale skin and white blonde hair. When the woman spoke, Pia could not understand a word she said. Pia was so startled, she just shook her head. The woman then motioned towards the Melas Fair, but Pia just continued to shake her head. Without saying anything else, the foreign woman took Pia’s hand and led her down the street. When they reached their destination, Pia was still very confused.

6. They entered a shop full of bright colored saris. The woman finally let go of Pia, and started talking to the shop owner in a strange language. Within minutes, the owner had taken Pia to the racks of the clothing, holding up different colors and styles. After only a few minutes, she helped up a shiny red sari that Pia instantly fell in love with. The owner must have known what Pia was thinking, because she once again grabbed her hand and led her to the back of the store. “Try on,” she said in Hindi. Pia went into the back room and put on the sari. She loved it, but new she could never have it. Dressed in the Sari, Pia went out to show the woman and owner, but the woman was already gone. The owner smile, “She paid for the sari for you. You look beautiful.”

7. Pia was stunned. The foreign woman had bought her the dress? It didn’t seem possible. The owner smiled and continued to speak. “She said to tell you to enjoy the Melas fair.” Pia was still stunned as the owner reached across and placed a small red Bindi in the center of her forehead. “She also left you this,” and the owner handed her a pouch of rupees. “Go now. Have fun.” Pia thanked the owner, and made her way down the street to the Melas fair. Was this really happening?

8. Making her way through the crowds at the fair was overwhelming. It was dusk, as Pia paid for some food. She had Henna art done on her hand and arms, and watched acrobats and snake charmers. It was everything she had ever dreamed of. Pia made her way towards the dance floor, where many people were dancing and enjoying themselves. Her eyes fell on the most handsome man on the dance floor. He was about her age and talking to a group of people. Their eyes met, and Pia smiled and quickly looked away.

9. The man approached her smiling. “Hello. I’m Tushar.” Pia was in shock, but was still able to introduce herself. They spoke for a few minutes, and then decided to explore the fair a little bit more. They rode the Ferris wheel, and ate spicy food. After watching the acrobats for a few minutes, Tushar and Pia made their way back over to the food. They sat together and talked. Tushar was from a family in Mumbai who had money, and were considered upper class.

10. They were having fun, but soon Pia realized what time it was. Panic set in as she realized her parents were probably worried about her. She told Tushar, but when she offered to walk her home, she ran. Pia was embarrassed, and didn’t want Tushar to know she was from the slums. She dodged her way through the crowd, and when she was finally out of the festival, she changed back into her old, dirty clothes and made her way home. What she hadn’t realized was that in her attempt to get out of the fair, her red Bindi had fallen off.

11. The next morning Pia walked back towards the fair. It was early in the morning, but most of the fair was already gone. The Ferris wheel she had rode just a few hours before had already been taken away. The smell of spicy food was replaced with that of garbage. People were going on about their day, but someone caught her eye. She saw Tushar ahead, talking to a group of people. In his hand, he held her missing Bindi. Pia froze with fear and panic. She duckedher head down, hoping Tushar wouldn’t notice her. However, he caught her eye, smiled, and ran over to her. He didn’t seem to notice her ragged clothes or appearance. Instead, he handed her the Bindi and said “Pia, you are the most beautiful, incredible girl I have ever met. Do not be ashamed of where you come from.” Pia blushed and tried to hide her smile. “You don’t understand…” she said. “No, I do,” he replied. “I want you and your family to come stay with us in our guest house. I have a proposal for you...”

12. A week later, Tushar proposed to Pia after gaining her father’s consent. Pia’s father found a new job working for Tushar’s father and was able to make enough money to find a better home for his family. Within a few months, Tushar and Pia were married. They lived happily ever after!

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